Internal tank augers for air seeder hoppers

ABSTRACT

An air seeder is provided having at least one container with a trough in the bottom floor. Preferably, the floor is formed with a v-shaped configuration converging at a metering mechanism. An auger is rotatably mounted in the trough to move particulate material to the metering mechanism located at a distal end of the container. The auger is powered by a motor mounted on the distal end of the auger opposite the metering mechanism. A remote fan mechanism is provided to deliver a supply of air to the metering mechanism through a pair of conveying tubes. Optionally, a sensor is provided to control the operation of the auger so that the auger only operates when it is needed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an agricultural implement,such as an air cart forming part of an air seeding implement forplanting seed and fertilizer into the ground. In particular, the presentinvention relates to the use of augers in low incline air seeder tanksto transfer product such as seed or fertilizer to a metering mechanismfor disposition to the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air carts for use on agricultural implements are well known. Typically,these air carts are used as part of an air seeder in which seeds,fertilizer and herbicides are deposited onto and into the ground duringthe planting operation. Air seeders and other seeding devices arecommonly towed by tractors to apply seed or fertilizer, or bothsimultaneously, to a field. For example, an air seeder may be towed incombination with a tilling implement, one behind the other, to place theseed and fertilizer under the surface of the soil. Generally, air cartsare in either a two container or three container configuration. The twocontainer configuration is used to carry a supply of seeds andfertilizer for planting into the ground. The three containerconfiguration can be used to carry an additional element, such as anherbicide, to be deposited on the ground. The three containerconfiguration, however, can also be used to carry only one or twomaterials in whatever amounts are desired.

Air seeders also typically include a metering system for dispensingproduct from the tanks and a pneumatic distribution system fordelivering the product from the tank to the soil. The tanks of the airseeders are formed with bottom surfaces that slope downward at the angleof repose for the product toward the metering mechanism. Gravity, incombination with the vibrations and movement of the air seeder, act tomove the grain from the perimeter of the tank toward the meteringmechanism located at the center of the tank.

Such movement of the product can be inefficient, and seed and/orfertilizer is often left behind when the volume in the tank becomes low.While this small amount of seed/or fertilizer does not substantiallyinterfere with the ongoing operations of the air seeder, the seed orfertilizer that is left in the grain tank over extended periods of time,such as during storage of the air seeder between seasons, will likelyspoil. This spoiled product will then be discharged from the air seederthe next time it is used, leading to contamination of the newly addedproduct. Moreover, the spoiling or rotting process of the seed orfertilizer in the air seeder tank can be corrosive to the air seeder.Over time, the air seeder tank can be damaged and require repair.Additionally, any product that is left in the tank when the tank isswitched to a different product will exit the air seeder with that newproduct. For example, if the tank has been used to dispense fertilizer,fertilizer will remain in the tank and will be intermingled with, forexample, seeds when the tank is next used. This could be damaging to theseeds. Moreover, operators of air seeders demand that almost all productdrain evenly from the tank with each use so that greater fieldefficiency can be achieved.

Further, it is desirable to increase the volume of the air seeder hopperso that more ground can be covered without having to stop and re-fillthe tanks. However, if larger tanks are employed, the air seeder becomesunstable due to an excessive center of gravity. Additionally, in a largecapacity two tank system, the optimal design would typically place therear metering mechanism rearward over the axle. However, this causesinterference both with clean out and with the location of the meteringmechanism in a gravity fed tank. In order to translate the slopes anddrain the tanks to one metering location, the tanks must be movedforward, thereby increasing the frame length and making the tanks evenmore unstable.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a large capacity airseeder hopper which can carry a large volume of product and efficientlytransport the product to the metering mechanism and overcome theaforementioned disadvantages of the current state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to providean auger for use in air seeder tanks to transfer particulate materialsuch as seed or fertilizer to a metering mechanism for disposition tothe ground.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an augerlocated along a trough incorporated into the bottom floor of the tank ofthe air seeder.

It is yet another object of this invention to locate the rear tankmetering mechanism forward of the rear axle and in close proximity tothe metering mechanism of the front tank.

It is a further object of the present invention initiation to providesensors to indicate the grain level within the tanks or to sense ashortage of grain at the metering mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention provide a compact tankdesign to limit the physical tank size.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide motors toindividually power each auger.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce hopper depth.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the center of gravityin the tank is lowered, which stabilizes the air seeder.

It is another advantage of the present invention that the augerstransfer the particulate material to the metering mechanisms only whenrequired.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that the individualaugers can be lifted to provide for a fast and easy cleanout.

It is a feature of the present invention that the floor of eachindividual tank is formed with a v-shaped configuration that convergesinto the metering mechanism.

It is another feature of this invention that the individual containerscan be molded from noncorrosive plastic or single sheet metal.

It is yet another feature of the present invention that the slope of thefloor of the individual tanks is shallow.

It is a further feature of this invention that the augers can beinitiated in a response to a lowered torque as the particulate materialdrains from the flightings.

It is another feature of the present invention that the meteringmechanisms are not centered on each tank.

It is still another feature of this invention to provide containers foran air seeder that are durable in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, easy to maintain, and simple and effective in use.

These and other objects, features, and advantages are accomplishedaccording to the present invention by providing an air seeder having aframe, a pair of ground engaging wheels, a metering mechanism, and atleast one container having at least one trough incorporated into thebottom floor with an auger rotatably mounted in each of the troughs fortransporting particulate material along the floor of the container tothe metering mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of thedetailed description that follows, in conjunction with the accompanyingsheets of drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed asdefining the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration ofthe following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational of a prior art air seeder mechanism of ageneral type in which the principles of the present invention can beincorporated;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of an air seederhopper incorporating the principles of the present invention, portionsof the frame and hitch being removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevational view of the air seeder hoppercorresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial underside perspective view of the air seeder hoppercorresponding to FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5 a-5 g are schematic perspective views of the hopper;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an air seeder hopper showing thelocation of an optical sensor;

FIG. 7 is a schematic elevational view of an air seeder hopperillustrated in FIG. 2 showing the auger in a working position; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevational view of an air seeder hopperillustrated in FIG. 2 showing the auger in a clean out position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the details of an air seeder hopperincorporating the principles of the present invention can best be seen.The air cart 10 preferably has a large capacity tank 11 of one orpreferably two container configuration. The two individual containers12, 14, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, are mounted on a frame mechanism 15 whichis supported by ground engaging wheels 16 for mobile movement over theground. Each container 12, 14 is preferably formed from molded plasticand is capable of being pressurized. Preferably, each container 12, 14is capable of being pressurized at a different operating pressure fromthe other container. Furthermore, each container 12, 14 must be capableof operating under different levels of fullness. For example, fertilizerin one container and seed in another container will not necessarilyempty at the same rate, particularly for different types of seeds thatcan be planted.

Each container 12, 14 is provided with a metering mechanism 15 ofgenerally conventional configuration, but positioned near a distal endof the container. Because of the large capacity of the container, andthe requisite positioning of the metering mechanism 15 at the interiorend of the container, so as to be positionable adjacent of the meteringmechanism of the opposing container near the center of the tank, theslope of the floor of the individual containers 12, 14 is shallow, oreven flat. To move particulate material, such as fertilizer or seed,within the container to the metering mechanism 15, an auger 20 islocated along a trough 18 incorporated into the bottom floor of theindividual container 12, 14.

A supply of air from a remote fan mechanism as represented in FIG. 1 canbe delivered to the metering mechanism 15 by conveying tubes 22 that canpass at least partially internally of the individual container 12, 14,as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably the air supply for bothmetering mechanisms for the two containers 12, 14 will come from asingle fan mechanism (not shown) and be distributed to appropriatelyplaced conveying tubes 22 to receive particulate material deliveredthrough the metering mechanisms 15 for conveyance thereof to theplanters as shown in FIG. 1. Since both containers 12, 14 are commonlymanufactured, the conveying tubes 22 may be present in the rearcontainer 14, although not be connected to a fan mechanism to provide asupply of air.

As is best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a-5 g, the floor of each individualcontainer is formed with a double v-shaped configuration converging intothe metering mechanism 15. At the lower apex of each v-shapedconfiguration, a trough 18 is provided in which an auger 20 is rotatablymounted to convey grain or other particulate material along the bottomof the floor into the metering mechanism 15. Preferably, there is anauger 20 located in each of the troughs 18 in the containers 12, 14. Thev-shaped configuration of the floor facilitates the movement ofparticulate material into the auger 20 for conveyance to the meteringmechanism 15. As is best seen in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, each auger 20 isindividually powered by a motor 21 mounted on the distal end of theauger 20 compared to the metering mechanism 15. Preferably, these motorsare hydraulically driven; however, they could be driven electrically orpneumatically as well.

Preferably the floor of the container is sloped toward the meteringmechanism 15 from the distal end thereof to enable a gravity flow ofproduct within the container into the metering mechanism 15. The augers20 in such a configuration will be utilized only to convey productwithin the container as a result of insufficient gravity flow into themetering mechanism. Thus, the augers 20 are rotated by the motors 21only when required to convey product into the metering mechanisms 15.

To control the operation of the individual augers 20, a sensor 19 isincorporated into a product supply box 17 forming part of the meteringmechanism 15. When the sensor 19 indicates a shortage of product to bedispensed through the metering mechanism 15, a controller 13 initiatesrotation of the motors 21 to convey product from the hopper into theproduct supply box 17 of the metering mechanism 15, thus filling themetering mechanism 15 as needed to maintain proper operation thereof.When a sufficient supply of product is present in the metering mechanism15, the sensor 19 stops the rotation of the auger 20.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, initiation of the drive of theaugers 20 can be the response of a signal from an optical sensor 29indicating the grain level within the container or by sensing loweredtorque requirements to effect rotation of the auger as grain, or otherproducts, drains from above the flightings of the augers.

Although the slope of the container 12, 14 and the use of augers 20removes most of the particulate material from the containers 12, 14during operation, some residual particulate material remains in thetank. As shown in FIG. 7, when the auger 20 is in the working position,the auger 20 is located at the bottom of trough 18. However, asillustrated in FIG. 8, to completely clean out the containers 12, 14,the augers 20 are lifted at the non-driving end and the containers 12,14 are manually swept clean.

In a preferred embodiment, the augers 20 are released by an easy releasemechanism 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. The easy release mechanism 30includes a u-shaped bracket 31 having a pair of upwardly extending armswith holes therein to receive a pin 33. When the pin 33 is insertedthrough the holes, the easy release mechanism 30 is in a closed andlocked position. As a result, the auger 20 remains placed in the trough18 in the working position. To clean out the containers 12, 14, theoperator simply removes the pin 33 from the u-shaped bracket 31 andraises the auger 20 for manual clean out as described above.

The invention of this application has been described above bothgenerically and with regard to specific embodiments. Although theinvention has been set forth in what is believed to be the preferredembodiments, a wide variety of alternatives known to those of skill inthe art can be selected within the generic disclosure. The invention isnot otherwise limited, except for the recitation of the claims set forthbelow.

1. In an air seeder having a frame, a pair of ground engaging wheels, atleast one container having an outer end wall, an opposite inner endwall, and side walls connecting the outer end wall and the oppositeinner end wall, and a metering mechanism for dispensing particulateproduct from said at least one container, the improvement comprising:said at least one container having a trough in incorporated into abottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in said trough fortransporting said particulate product along said floor to said meteringmechanism, wherein said floor is shaped in v-shaped configurationconverging at said metering mechanism; and a motor mounted on a distalend of said auger relative to said metering mechanism to rotate saidauger and convey said particulate product said metering mechanism, saidmetering mechanism being located at an end of said at least onecontainer.
 2. The air seeder of claim 1, wherein said at least onecontainer is formed in a double v-shaped configuration to facilitatemovement of said particulate product into the auger for conveyance ofsaid particulate product to said metering mechanism.
 3. The air seederof claim 2, wherein said trough is located in a lower apex of each ofsaid v-shaped configurations, each said trough having an auger rotatablymounted therein for transporting said particulate product along saidfloor to said metering mechanism.
 4. In an air seeder having a frame, apair of ground engaging wheels, at least one container having an outerend wall, an opposite inner end wall, and side walls connecting theouter end wall and the opposite inner end wall, and a metering mechanismfor dispensing particulate product from said at least one container, theimprovement comprising: said at least one container having a troughincorporated into a bottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in saidtrough for transporting said particulate product along said floor tosaid metering mechanism; a motor mounted on a distal end of said augerrelative to said metering mechanism to rotate said auger and convey saidparticulate product said metering mechanism, said metering mechanismbeing located at an end of said at least one container; a sensor in saidmetering mechanism to detect a shortage of said particulate productbeing dispensed through said metering mechanism; and a controller toinitiate rotation of said auger to convey said particulate product fromsaid at least one container to fill said metering mechanism.
 5. The airseeder of claim 4, wherein said sensor stops said motor when asufficient amount of said particulate product is present in saidmetering mechanism.
 6. In an air seeder having a frame, a pair of groundengaging wheels, at least one container having an outer end wall, anopposite inner end wall, and side walls connecting the outer end walland the opposite inner end wall, and a metering mechanism for dispensingparticulate product from said at least one container, the improvementcomprising: said at least one container having a trough incorporatedinto a bottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in said trough fortransporting said particulate product along said floor to said meteringmechanism; a motor mounted on a distal end of said auger relative tosaid metering mechanism to rotate said auger and convey said particulateproduct to said metering mechanism, said metering mechanism beinglocated at an end of said at least one container; and an optical sensorlocated in said at least one container to sense a level of saidparticulate product within said at least one container, said opticalsensor triggering the start of said motor and subsequent rotation ofsaid auger to deliver said particulate product to said meteringmechanism.
 7. In an air seeder having a frame, a pair of ground engagingwheels, at least one container having an outer end wall, an oppositeinner end wall, and side walls connecting the outer end wall and theopposite inner end wall, and a metering mechanism for dispensingparticulate product from said at least one container, the improvementcomprising: said at least one container having a trough incorporatedinto a bottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in said trough fortransporting said particulate product along said floor to said meteringmechanism; and a motor mounted on a distal end of said auger relative tosaid metering mechanism to rotate said auger and convey said particulateproduct to said metering mechanism, said metering mechanism beinglocated at an end of said at least one container, wherein said auger isinitiated in response to lowered torque to effect rotation of said augeras said particulate product drains from said at least one container.